These days, the Durango High School band is thriving under the direction of Katharine Reed, but in the early 1960s, the baton was in the hand of a young band leader just starting his career, Jess Gerardi.

The Colorado High School Activities Association announced last week that Gerardi is one of eight 2015 inductees into its Hall of Fame.

Called the “godfather” of blending marching and concert bands by CHSAA, Gerardi spent most of his career at Englewood High School, where his bands excelled at state, regional and national levels.

He also directed the Denver Broncos Band from 1967 to 1998 and has won numerous other awards, including being named Citizen of the Year in Englewood.

Gerardi has already been inducted into the Colorado Bandmasters and Colorado Music Educators associations’ halls of fame.

The induction ceremony will take place Jan. 27 in Denver.

To learn more about the CHSAA Hall of Fame and its 2015 inductees, visit http://chsaanow.com/2015-10-13/chsaa-hall-of-fame-announces-2015-class.

1962 DHS Band with Gerardi (PDF)